Here's what Express-News staff writer Tom Orsborn says you should keep an eye on during tonight's game:

1. Desperate Dallas: ﻿Desperation? In a season opener? Considering all that's at stake tonight, you bet. The Giants swept Dallas last season and have won seven of the last nine meetings. Another loss would cement the belief among both teams that the Giants own the Cowboys.

Dallas also needs a win to soften a grueling early schedule that calls for it to play six of the first nine games on the road, including a trip to the West Coast in Week 2 to face unpredictable Seattle. Oh, and did we mention it's also a division game? Upsetting the Giants in the Meadowlands would set a confident tone for the season. While a loss wouldn't be devastating, it could demoralize a team already loaded with question marks.

“It means a lot,” cornerback Brandon Carr said. “It's the first rattle out of the box. It's our first chance to show the world who we are. No Super Bowl champion will be crowned after this game. It's just Week 1. But it's a division game, and it's important. This division is tight, and there are a lot of teams that have the potential to make a run come December. The first game is always important. You want to get out ahead.”

2. Manning picking on rookie: If there's a strategy no-brainer for the Giants, it's building their game plan around going after rookie cornerback Morris Claiborne. Although he was the first defensive player selected in the draft at No. 6 overall, the former LSU star is still plenty inexperienced when it comes to defending NFL receivers.

“I know they're coming,” Claiborne said of the Giants' Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. “It's just up to me to prepare myself the way I've been preparing to be ready for that.”

The Cowboys are confident he's up to the task.

“He's getting better and better,” coach Jason Garrett said. “And he doesn't seem to be in awe of this situation at all.”

The challenge for Carr will be to stand ready in case Eli Manning decides to come back over to the other side in an attempt to catch the veteran napping.

“You can't fall asleep out there,” he said.

3. New guys up front: Hoping to bolster the soft interior of their offensive line, the Cowboys signed a pair of guards in free agency. But after injuries robbed them of the chance to gain chemistry with the line's holdovers, Nate Livings and Mackenzy Bernadeau enter the opener surrounded by question marks.

“They'll be important to what we do,” Tony Romo told CNNSI.com during the preseason. “If they can give me an extra half second more after the snap, that can be an eternity for our offense. It's interesting to consider what we'd be able to do.”

Considering how much time Livings and Bernadeau missed in training camp and the preseason and that center Phil Costa also played sparingly because of injury, Romo likely won't get that half second tonight, especially with the Giants' fierce defensive front coming after him.

4. Smith vs. Pierre-Paul: When the Cowboys decided in the offseason to move second-year offensive tackle Tyron Smith from the right to the left side, they did so thinking the Southern Cal-ex would be better suited than Doug Free to keep Giants Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and other pass-rushing threats at bay.

Smith experienced some growing pains at his new spot during training camp, especially when lined up against DeMarcus Ware. But his quick feet, long arms and huge, strong hands should help him against the explosive Pierre-Paul, who has a lightning-fast first step.

If Smith wins the early battles, don't be surprised if Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell slides Pierre-Paul over to tackle to try his hand against Livings and Bernadeau.

5. Romo on the edge: In addition to the prospect of having nothing between him and the Giants' tenacious pass rush but an offensive line playing its first game together, Romo likely won't have his longtime go-to guy to bail him out. And even if tight end Jason Witten (lacerated spleen) does play, it's unlikely he'll be his same old reliable self after being sidelined since the preseason opener Aug. 13.

If Witten can't go, John Phillips will get the start. He's no Witten, but the fourth-year pro is confident he'll be ready to pitch in where he can.

“You've got to be ready to go,” said Phillips, who had 15 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown last season after missing the 2010 campaign with a knee injury. “Step in. Next-man-up mentality. Ready to get out there and go.”

Prediction

All signs point to Claiborne one day being a great corner for the Cowboys, but that day isn't here yet. Look for Manning to continue his mastery of Rob Ryan's defense and the Giants' pass rush to frustrate Romo.